Backgrounder

The National Forest Policy 1988 aims for 33% of the country’s geographical area under the forest cover for ecological and environmental security. While aiming to expand the forest cover in the country, it is equally important to improve the state and quality of existing forests and protect them against various threats and drivers of degradation. The threats to forests include encroachments, forest fires, illicit felling for timber and firewood, grazing, diseases and incursion of weeds and other invasive species, etc. The staffs also face threats of illegal felling of trees from organized forest smugglers / timber mafia and encroachments form land mafia.

With a view to minimizing fire hazards and controlling forest fires a Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Integrated Forest Protection Scheme” was launched during the 10^th plan period. In 2009, the Integrated Forest protection Scheme (IFPS) has been revised and renamed “Intensification of Forest Management Scheme” (IFMS). The components of the scheme included forest fire control and management, survey, demarcation and preparation of working plans, strengthening of infrastructure such as roads, camp offices, watch towers, improved mobility, providing fire arms and use of modern information and communication technology etc.

The total budget provision in 11^th Five Year Plan under this scheme is Rs.600 Crores. However, only Rs. 267.79 Crores has been released to the States during the first four years of the Plan. The funding pattern is on cost sharing basis for   N-E States including Sikkim and special category States Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir & Uttarakhand, the Central Share is 90%   and the State’s Share is 10%. For rest of the states the Central Share is  75% and State’s Share is 25%.

The Scheme continues during the XI plan period. The Provision for procurement of Arms and Ammunitions is made under this Scheme in which the Ministry of Environment and Forests provides financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid to State/Union Territory Governments for strengthening of infrastructure and protection machinery according to the proposal received from them.

Main components of Intensification of Forest Management Scheme (IFMS) are:

*Forest Fire Control and Management

* Strengthening of Infrastructure for forest protection

* Working Plan Preparation/ Survey and Demarcation

* Protection and conservation of Sacred Groves

*Conservation and Restoration of Unique Vegetation and Ecosystems

* Control and Eradication of Forest Invasive Species

* Preparedness for Meeting Challenges of bamboo Flowering and Improving Management of Bamboo Forests

Various interventions carried out under this scheme help in curbing the encroachment. They are:

 (i) Survey & demarcation of forests and preparation of working plans,

(ii) Creation and maintenance of Fire lines and water harvesting structure,

(iii) Engangement of fire watchers during fire seasons,

(iv) Proviidng firefighting equipments,

(v) Wireless and communication network,

(vi) Providing fire arms to the frontline forests protection staff,

(vii) Training and capacity building of forest staff,

(viii) Increasing mobility of frontline staff by providing vehicles,

(ix) Construction of watch towers,

(x) Improvement of forest roads,

(xi) Construction of offices and residential buildings for frontline staff,

(xii) Assistance to joint Forest management Committees (JFMCs) to ensure involvement of local communities, etc.

(xiii) Awareness campaigns.

(xiv) Working Plan Preparation / Survey & demarcation

·         Survey of forest areas and demarcation of forest boundaries with boundary pillars,

·         Purchase of survey equipments,

·         Geographical information systems,

·         Global Position Systems (GPS),

·         Preparation of Working Plans,

·         Vehicles for field work etc.

KP